A MOTHER today spoke about her brave son's fight against cancer -- and her hope that he will be given the all-clear by Christmas.

Karen Skinner lived through every mother's nightmare at the end of April when she took her son, Joshua Westwell, for his routine 18 months check and was told the devastating news.

She said: "His stomach was really bloated. The doctor sent us to Burnley General and doctors there transferred us to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, the same day.

"It took them two days to diagnose liver cancer and he started chemotherapy immediately."

Joshua's illness is a very rare form of cancer but because it was diagnosed early, he looks set to make a full recovery.

Karen and her boyfriend Paul Westwell, who live in Lee Road, Bacup, also have a five-month-old daughter Chloe.

Fortunately they have support from Paul's mum, Alice Westwell, who looks after Chloe when Karen and Joshua stay in hospital.

Karen explained: "They drip the chemotherapy into him through his organs and one treatment lasts for 49 hours -- the other lasts for 60 hours. I stay with him but it is hard work because he is on the go and I have to run round the ward after him with the drip!

"The cancer has taken 85 per cent of his liver and if the chemotherapy had not worked he would have needed a transplant.

"They also found cancer on his lungs but it has shrunk and he is having a scan this week to see if it is clear.

"The doctors can't believe how well he is doing. Once the cancer cells are clear he will be operated on and the tumour will be removed but his liver should reform."

Karen, 22, said hopefully if he can keep his chemotherapy appointments he will have an operation on August 13.

A fundraising event for the Borchart Ward where Joshua receives his treatment was held yesterday at Rosemount Working Men's Club in Stacksteads, where his grandparents Alice and Jack are members.

The event included a 12-hour pool marathon and was organised by Rosemount member Linda Hardman.

Karen said: "There are a lot younger and worse off babies in the ward. I would never have believed it.

Karen and Paul, 24, a welder, are hoping their son will be given the all-clear by Christmas and he can return to the playgroup he used to attend. They were planning a holiday, but Joshua's illness put paid to that and his birthday in September cannot be celebrated with a party.

Karen hopes that when he is better they may be able to take the whole family to Disney World.

They have been told there is a one in a million chance that Chloe may have the same illness but so far she is healthy and happy.

Karen said: "I could not believe it could happen to my son. He was so healthy.

"If any mum finds a lump just take your child straight to the doctor. A mum always knows best," she added.